Colored contact lenses and method of making the same

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to a colored contact lens designed for making a wearer&#39;s eyes to appear larger, bolder, and enhanced color while giving the wearer&#39;s eyes a very natural appearance. A colored contact lens of the invention comprising a first print of a first color and a second print of a second color, wherein the first print consisting of an annular ring of gradient dot matrix, wherein the second print comprises a limbal ring and an outer starburst pattern, wherein the limbal ring surrounds the outer starburst pattern, wherein the annular ring and the limbal ring have a substantially identical outer diameter and the annular ring has a larger inside diameter than the limbal ring, the first color and the second color are different or the same, wherein the first print and the second print are concentric with the center of contact lens.

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 (e) of U.S.provisional application Ser. No. 61/368,938 filed on Jul. 29, 2010,herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to colored contact lenses capable ofmaking a wearer's eyes bigger and bolder with enhanced contrast withoutchanging the overall eye color or naturalness. The present inventionalso relates to methods for designing and manufacturing colored contactlenses of the invention.

For cosmetic purposes, colored contact lenses having one or morecolorants dispersed in the lens or printed on the lens are in highdemand. These colored contact lenses enhance the natural beauty of theeye, or provide unique patterns on the iris of the wearer, or providenon-cosmetic patterns.

In general, there are two types of colored contact lenses. The first arecontact lenses which use essentially transparent enhancement colors thatallow the color of the natural iris to show through but combine withthat natural color to produce a new appearance. Such transparent coloredlenses are typically used to turn a light eye (e.g., green) to aslightly different hue (e.g., aqua). This class of colored lenses maynot be able to change an underlying dark- colored brown iris to blue.The second category is the class of opaque colored lenses having acontinuous opaque pattern that fully covers the iris or having anintermittent opaque pattern that does not fully cover the iris. Opaquecolored contact lenses can effectively and substantially modify thewearer's eye color.

Certain contact lens consumers showed interest in enhancing their eyeswithout dramatically changing their natural eye color. They wanted theireyes to appear bolder, and larger-appearing for a more “youthful”appearance. However, these consumers did not want anyone to know theywere wearing contact lenses, and any design would need to be natural.

Accordingly, there are still needs for colored contact lenses that arecapable of making eyes bigger and bolder with enhanced contrast whilemaintaining the wearer's natural underlying iris structure and color.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one respect, the invention provides a colored contact lens,comprising a first print of a first color and a second print of a secondcolor, wherein the first print is an annular ring of gradient dotmatrix, wherein the second print comprises an outer starburst patternand a limbal ring surrounding the outer starburst pattern, wherein theannular ring and the limbal ring have a substantially identical outerdiameter and the annular ring has a larger inner diameter than that ofthe limbal ring, wherein the first color and the second color aredifferent or the same, wherein the first print and the second print areconcentric with the center of contact lens.

In another aspect, the invention encompasses a method for making acolored contact lens, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a preformed contact lens; and

(b) applying a first print pattern of opaque colored dots of a firstcolor onto a surface of at least one of the anterior and posteriorsurfaces of the contact lens,

wherein the first print is an annular ring of gradient dot matrix,

(c) applying a second print pattern of opaque colored dot of a secondcolor onto the surface of the contact lens,

wherein the second print comprises an outer starburst pattern and alimbal ring surrounding the outer starburst pattern, wherein the annularring and the limbal ring have a substantially identical outer diameterand the annular ring has a larger inner diameter than that of the limbalring, wherein the first color and the second color are different or thesame, wherein the first print and the second print are concentric withthe center of contact lens.

In still another aspect, the invention encompasses a method for making acolored contact lens, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a mold including a first mold half having a first moldingsurface defining the anterior surface of a contact lens and a secondmold half having a second molding surface defining the posterior surfaceof the contact lens, wherein the first and second mold halves areconfigured to receive each other such that a contact lens forming cavityis formed between the first and second molding surfaces;

(b) applying, by using pad-transfer or inkjet printing technique, asecond print pattern of opaque colored dot of a second color to onto atleast one of molding surfaces of a lens mold, wherein the second printcomprises an outer starburst pattern and a limbal ring surrounding theouter starburst pattern, wherein the annular ring and the limbal ringhave a substantially identical outer diameter and the annular ring has alarger inner diameter than that of the limbal ring,

(c) applying, by using pad-transfer or inkjet printing technique, afirst print pattern of opaque colored dots of a first color onto thesurface of the mold,

wherein the first print is an annular ring of gradient dot matrix,

wherein the first color and the second color are different or the same,wherein the first print and the second print are concentric with thecenter of contact lens.

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunctionwith the following drawings. As would be obvious to one skilled in theart, many variations and modifications of the invention may be affectedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of thedisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art contact lens;

FIG. 2 illustrates a “first print pattern” which is a pattern of annularring of a gradient dot matrix in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a “limbal ring with evenly spaced circular voids” inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an “outer starburst pattern” in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a “second print” which is the overlay pattern of an“outer starburst pattern” and a “limbal ring pattern” in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates the overlay pattern of the first print pattern andthe second print pattern in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates an “inner starburst pattern” in accordance with thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference now will be made in detail to the embodiments of theinvention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Forinstance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment,can be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment.Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover such modificationsand variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and theirequivalents. Other objects, features and aspects of the presentinvention are disclosed in or are obvious from the following detaileddescription. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the artthat the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodimentsonly, and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the presentinvention.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Generally, the nomenclatureused herein and the laboratory procedures are well known and commonlyemployed in the art. Conventional methods are used for these procedures,such as those provided in the art and various general references. Wherea term is provided in the singular, the inventors also contemplate theplural of that term.

A “contact lens” refers to an object that can be placed on or within awearer's eye. A contact lens can correct, improve, or alter a user'seyesight, but that need not be the case. A contact lens can be of anyappropriate material known in the art or later developed, and can be asoft lens, a hard lens, or a hybrid lens. A contact lens can be tintedbefore printing any color patterns. A contact lens can be in a dry stateor a wet state. “Dry State” refers to a soft lens in a state prior tohydration or the state of a hard lens under storage or use conditions.“Wet State” refers to a soft lens in a hydrated state.

The “front or anterior surface” of a contact lens, as used herein,refers to the surface of the lens that faces away from the eye duringwear. The anterior surface, which is typically substantially convex, mayalso be referred to as the front curve of the lens.

The “rear or posterior surface” of a contact lens, as used herein,refers to the surface of the lens that faces towards the eye duringwear. The rear surface, which is typically substantially concave, mayalso be referred to as the base curve of the lens.

A “colored contact lens” refers to a contact lens (hard or soft) havinga color image printed thereon. A color image can be a cosmetic pattern,for example, iris-like patterns, Wild Eye™ patterns, made-to-order (MTO)patterns, and the like; an inversion mark that allows a user to handleand easily insert a contact lens; a toric rotation mark, or contactlenses stock keeping units (SKUs), for example, either in forms ofnumbers or as bar codes. A color image can be a single color image or amulti-color image. A color image is preferably a digital image, but itcan also be an analog image.

The term “eye color” refers to the color of the iris.

The term “ordinary viewer” is intended to mean a person having normal20/20 version standing about 5 feet from a person wearing the lenses ofthe invention.

The term “non-opaque” as used herein is intended to describe transparentor translucent color or a part of the lens that is uncolored or coloredwith transparent or translucent coloring.

A “colored coat” refers to a coating on an object and having a colorimage printed therein.

A “colorant” means either one or more dyes or one or more pigments or amixture thereof that is used to print a pattern of colored elements on acontact lens.

“Dye” means a substance that is soluble in a solvent and that is used toimpart color. Dyes typically have low opacity and are nearly transparentor translucent. Dyes can cover both optical regions of contact lensesand non-optical regions of contact lenses.

A “pigment” means a powdered substance that is suspended in a liquid inwhich it is insoluble. Pigments are used to impart color. Pigments, ingeneral, are more opaque than dyes.

The term “a conventional or non-pearlescent pigment” as used herein isintended to describe any absorption pigments that impart color based onthe optical principle of diffuse scattering and its color is independentof its geometry. While any suitable non-pearlescent pigment may beemployed, it is presently preferred that the non-pearlescent pigment isheat resistant, non-toxic and insoluble in aqueous solutions. Examplesof preferred non-pearlescent pigments include any colorant permitted inmedical devices and approved by the FDA, such as D&C Blue No. 6, D&CGreen No. 6, D&C Violet No. 2, carbazole violet, certain coppercomplexes, certain chromium oxides, various iron oxides, phthalocyaninegreen, phthalocyanine blue, titanium dioxides, etc. See Marmiom DMHandbook of U.S. Colorants for a list of colorants that may be used withthe present invention. A more preferred embodiment of a non-pearlescentpigment include (C.I. is the color index no.), without limitation, for ablue color, phthalocyanine blue (pigment blue 15:3, C.I. 74160), cobaltblue (pigment blue 36, C.I. 77343), Toner cyan BG (Clariant), Permajetblue B2G (Clariant); for a green color, phthalocyanine green (Pigmentgreen 7, C.I. 74260) and chromium sesquioxide; for yellow, red, brownand black colors, various iron oxides; PR122, PY154, for violet,carbazole violet; for black, Monolith black C-K (CIBA SpecialtyChemicals).

“Pearlescence” means having a pearly luster; resembling a pearl inphysical appearance; or a color having a shiny, slightly reflectiveappearance.

A “pearlescent pigment” refers to a class of interference (effect)pigments, which are transparent thin platelets of low refractive indexmaterial (e.g., transparent mica platelets) coated with optically thincoating of a high refractive index material (e.g., metal oxide, such as,for example titanium oxide or iron oxide), and which impart color mainlybased on the optical principle of thin-film interference. The opticallythin coating of metal oxide can be comprised of single or multiple thinlayers of metal oxide. Optically thin coatings applied to the plateletscontribute interference effects, which allow the appearance to varydepending upon illumination and viewing conditions. The color isdetermined by the coating thickness, the refractive index and the angleof illumination. Optically thin coatings are also responsible for therich, deep, glossy effect due to partial reflection from the metal oxideand partial transmission through the mica platelets. This class ofpigment can provide pearly luster and iridescent effects.

Pearlescent pigments which are mica platelets with an oxide coating arecommercially available from by the Englehard Corp. of Iselin, N.J.,under the “Mearlin Pigment” line, such as “Hi-Lite Interference Colors,”“Dynacolor Pearlescent Pigments”, “MagnaPearl”, “Flamenco,” and “CeliniColors.” Additional manufacturers of pearlescent colorants are: Kemira,Inc. in Savannah, Ga., the pigments having the trade name “Flonac LustreColors”; and EM Industries, Inc. of Hawthorne, N.Y., the pigments havingthe trade name “Affair Lustre Pigments”.

The term “pearlescently colored” as used herein is intended to describean element of a colored pattern that is colored with a pearlescentcolorant (i.e., containing at least one pearlescent pigment).

In the case of pearlescent pigments, it is important during processingto minimize platelet breakage and maintain a sufficient level ofdispersion. Pearlescent pigments require gentle handling during mixingand they should not be ground, or subjected to prolonged mixing, millingor high shear since such operations can damage the pigments. Particlesize distribution, shape and orientation strongly influence finalappearance. Milling, high shear mixing or prolonged processing ofpearlescent pigments should be avoided since such operations might leadto delamination of metal oxide coated layer, fragmentation of platelets,platelet agglomeration and platelet compaction. Delamination of metaloxide, compaction, fragmentation and agglomeration will reducepearlescent effects.

The term “shining effect” as used herein is intended to describe theeffect that the amount of pearlescent pigment is high enough to provideeye appearance of reflection with a sparkling luster.

An “uneven or jagged or irregular border or peripheral edge” as usedherein refers to a border or a peripheral edge on which positions haveradial distances (i.e., from the lens center) which differ from eachother by at least about 20%. A “substantially even border or peripheraledge” as used herein refers to a border or a peripheral edge on whichpositions have substantially constant radial distances (i.e., from thelens center), namely differing from each other less than 20%.

The term “percent of print coverage or dot coverage” refers to theportion of the total area within the region covered by the color dots asmeasured by using Adobe Photoshop (a graphics image editing software) todetermine the number of pixels on an area. The percent of print coverageis calculated as follows:

% print coverage=[(number of pixels of dot coverage area)/(number ofpixels of a total area)]×100

Total area=printed area+un-printed area

“Hydrogel” means a cross-linked polymer having equilibrium contentbetween about 10 and 90 percent water.

A “lens-forming material” refers to a polymerizable composition whichcan be can be (cured (i.e., polymerized and/or crosslinked) thermally oractinically (i.e., by actinic radiation) to obtain a crosslinkedpolymer. Examples of actinic radiation are UV irradiation, ionizedradiation (e.g. gamma ray or X-ray irradiation), microwave irradiation,and the like. Thermal curing or actinic curing methods are well-known toa person skilled in the art. Lens-forming materials are well known to aperson skilled in the art such as: HEMA-based hydrogel and siliconehydrogel.

A “HEMA-based hydrogel” refers to a hydrogel obtained bycopolymerization of a polymerizable composition comprising hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA).

A “silicone hydrogel” refers to a hydrogel obtained by copolymerizationof a polymerizable composition comprising at least onesilicone-containing monomer or at least one silicone-containingmacromer.

“Hydrophilic,” as used herein, describes a material or portion thereofthat will more readily associate.

A “print-on-mold process for producing colored contact lenses” refers toa process for molding a colored contact lens described in U.S. Pat. No.5,034,166 to Rawlings et al. (herein incorporated by reference).

This invention is directed to a colored contact lens designed to enhancea wearer's natural eye color and make them bolder while providing a verynatural appearance as perceived by the ordinary viewer.

For example, certain dark-eyed contact lens consumers have showninterest in enhancing their eyes without dramatically changing theirnatural eye color. They wanted their eyes to appear darker, bolder, andlarger-appearing for a more “youthful” appearance. However, theseconsumers did not want anyone to know they were wearing contact lenses,and any design would need to be natural. Light-colored (i.e. blue orgreen) and medium-colored (i.e. hazel, light brown) contact lensconsumers also show similar interest in enhancing their eyesdramatically, yet naturally, without changing their natural eye color.

It is discovered that such cosmetic effects (i.e., enhancing a wearer'seye color and make them bolder while providing a very naturalappearance) can be achieved by placing a colored design on a contactlens to improve the contrast of the wearer's eye, particularly theirlimbus. This design can be applied by printing onto a contact lensthrough conventional means. This invention has illustrated certaindesigns and colors which provide this color on eye yet blends with thewearer's natural eye color. The invention described here is a series ofrings placed on top of each other to provide the desired effect. Thisfirst print layer is a diffuse pattern with gradient dot matrix whichallows the underlying limbus and iris structure to be seen. The designof the first print of the present invention help to provide bothattributes of a natural looking pattern and a high contrast with thewearer's natural eye, especially when the first print is superimposedwith the second print. The first print blocks little of the lightreflecting off the underlying iris and allows good blending with thenatural eye because this layer is composed of an ink having lowerpigment content than the second print. The second print design iscomposed of an “irregular border”, facing toward the pupil. Thisirregular border provides structure that provides a transition from thelimbal area into the iris area. The two layers superimposed provide thedesired colored design, which covers and accentuates the wearer'snatural limbal ring and eye color more than a single layer by itself. Oneye, the pattern provides an attractive design with perceived bigger andbolder eyes. It is also discovered that such cosmetic effects (i.e.,enhancing a wearer's eye color and make them bolder while providing avery natural appearance) works particularly well for contact lens wearerhaving a dark-eye as well as many other eye colors.

It is further discovered that the above described contact lens furthercomprises a third print of a third color, wherein the third print is aninner starburst pattern of pearlescently colored elements, wherein theinner starburst pattern is located generally on the inside of andsurrounded by the outer starburst pattern, wherein a jagged borderseparates the outer starburst pattern and the inner starburst pattern,wherein the pearlescently colored element comprises at least onepearlescent pigment in an amount sufficient to provide to the innerstarburst pattern of the contact lens a desirable amount of pearlescentto impart a shiny appearance to a wearer's eye.

In one respect, the invention provides a colored contact lens,comprising a first print of a first color and a second print of a secondcolor, wherein the first print is an annular ring of gradient dotmatrix, wherein the second print comprises an outer starburst patternand a limbal ring surrounding the outer starburst pattern, wherein theannular ring and the limbal ring have a substantially identical outerdiameter and the annular ring has a larger inner diameter than that ofthe limbal ring, wherein the first color and the second color aredifferent or the same, wherein the first print and the second print areconcentric with the center of contact lens.

As well known in the art, a color is generally described mainly by thefollowing inter-related terms: hue, chroma, intensity, saturation,luminance, brightness value and opacity.

The term “different colors” is intended to describe that two colors aredifferent in at least one of hue, chroma, intensity, saturation,luminance, brightness, value, and opacity. The term “second colordifferent from said first color” (or some similar language) as usedherein is intended to mean that both colors are of totally differentcolors, such as blue and hazel; or that both colors are the same hue,but have different lightness, values such as light blue and dark blue.

The term “the annular ring and the limbal ring have a substantiallyidentical outer diameter” as used here is intended to describe thedifference between the outer diameter of the annular ring and the outerdiameter of the limbal ring is less than 0.3 mm, preferably less than0.2 mm, more preferably less than 0.1 mm.

The term “an annular ring of gradient dot matrix” is intended to meangradually increase local colored dot coverage in a radial direction(from the center to the edge) of an annular ring by increasing the printdensity. For example, the larger number of printed colored dots withinan area near the exterior periphery edge of an annular ring causes theappearance of a darker exterior periphery edge of the annular ring thanthe interior periphery edge of the annular ring. Alternately, whilefixing the spacing of the center of each dot, the larger size of coloreddots within an area near the exterior periphery edge of an annular ringcauses the appearance of a darker exterior periphery edge of the annularring than the interior periphery edge of the annular ring. Alternately,the print density can be decreased by removing printed area, such as byremoving print from a high print density region(i.e. circular voids).The interior peripheral edge of an annular ring refers to an edge beingclosest to the center of the colored lens. The exterior peripheral edgeof an annular ring refers to an edge being farthest to the center of thecolored lens. Alternately, the gradient dot matrix can be composed of aconsistent dot density.

The printed colored dots or void areas can have any shape, regular orirregular, such as circular, oval, triangular, square, hexagonal,elongated, etc. All colored dots or void areas can have similar ordifferent shapes. Preferably, all printed dots or void areas havesubstantially similar shape. More preferably, all printed dots or voidareas have circular shapes.

The range of dot sizes is preferably from 0.01 to about 0.5 mm. Thespacing between dots is preferred from 0.01 to about 0.3 mm. Also, theremoved printed areas are circles (i.e. circular voids) from 0.01 toabout 0.3 mm, with spacing from 0.01 to 0.3 mm.

The term “limbal ring” is intended to mean an annular band of colorthat, when the lens is on-eye and centered, partially or substantiallycompletely overlies the lens wearer's limbus area. The limbus area isthe area of the eye located between the iris area and the sclera area.Preferably, the limbal ring substantially completely overlies the limbusarea. The innermost border, or edge closest to the geometric center ofthe lens, of the limbal ring may be about 5 mm to about 12 mm,preferably about 6 to about 11.5 mm, even more preferably about 9 toabout 11 mm, from the lens' geometric center. The ring may be of anysuitable width and preferably is about 0.5 to about 2.5 mm in width,more preferably about 0.75 to about 1.75 mm in width, or even morepreferably about 0.8 to about 1.25 mm in width.

The limbal ring surrounds an outer starburst pattern, wherein the limbalring is comprised of a colorant, wherein the limbal ring has an interiorperipheral edge and an exterior peripheral edge, wherein the exteriorperipheral edge is substantially even, wherein the interior peripheraledge is uneven (or jugged or irregular) or substantially even.

The interior peripheral edge of a limbal ring refers to an edge beingclosest to the center of the colored lens. The exterior peripheral edgeof a limbal ring refers to an edge being farthest from the center of thecolored lens. The limbal ring partially or substantially completelyoverlies a lens wearer's limbal region when the lens is on-eye.

By having a colored limbal ring on the colored outer starburst pattern,a colored contact lens of the invention can allow an eye to appear more“youthful” to an ordinary viewer, if limbal ring is of a color similarto the natural color of the iris, or limbal ring is of a color the sameas the natural color of the iris but having a lower lightness, or limbalring is of a darker color than the natural color of the iris.

By having a colored limbal ring on the colored outer starburst pattern,a colored contact lens of the invention can define or emphasize thenatural color of the iris.

The limbal ring can be comprised of any shaped pigmented areas,preferably, opaque dots. Preferred the limbal ring comprised of evenlyspaced circular voids.

FIG. 1 as an example illustrates a prior art contact lens. It has anon-opaque pupil section 20 in the center of lens, and an annular irissection 21 surrounding the pupil section. For hydrophilic lenses, atransparent peripheral section 22 surrounds iris section 21. A colored,opaque, intermittent pattern is located over the entire iris section 21,as show in FIG. 1. The pattern leaves a substantial portion of the irissection within the interstices of the pattern non-opaque. The non-opaqueareas of iris section 21 appear white in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 as an example schematically illustrates a “first print pattern”which consists of an annular ring of gradient dot matrix. The dots,preferably opaque dots, can have any shape, regular or irregular, suchas circular, oval, triangular, square, hexagonal, elongated, etc. Alldots can have similar or different shapes. Preferably, all dots havesubstantially similar shape. More preferably, all dots have circularshapes. The first print pattern is concentric with the center of a lensand has a substantially even exterior peripheral edge and asubstantially even interior peripheral edge. The exterior peripheraledge can have a diameter of from about 12.5 mm to about 14 mm and thewidth of the annular ring is from about 1.2 mm to about 1.8 mm. Thefirst print can be many colors, for example, blue, gray, brown, lightblue, turquoise, violet, dark-violet, blue-violet, aqua, yellow orgreen. A preferred color for the preprint is black with violet tone. Thedot coverage (print area) for the first print is from about 10 percentto about 35 percent, preferably from about 20 percent to about 30percent, more preferably about 25 percent of the contact lens areaexcluding the outer transparent peripheral area (section 22 in FIG. 1).The outer transparent peripheral area is the area outside first printarea and is un-printed area. This area corresponds to the sclera of theeye outer periphery.

FIG. 3 as an example schematically illustrates a “limbal ring withevenly spaced circular voids”. The limbal ring consists of printed areawith evenly spaced circular voids and is concentric with the center of alens and has a substantially even exterior peripheral edge and asubstantially even interior peripheral edge. The exterior peripheraledge can have a diameter of from about 12.5 mm to about 14 mm. The widthof the limbal ring is about 0.5 mm to about 2.5 mm; preferable from 1.0mm to 2.0 mm. Typically, the diameter of the circular voids is about 0.0mm to about 0.5 mm, preferably from about 0.1 mm to about 0.4 mm, morepreferably from 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm.

FIG. 4 as an example schematically illustrates an “outer starburstpattern”. The outer starburst pattern can be comprised of dots. Thedots, preferably opaque dots, can have any shape, regular or irregular,such as circular, oval, triangular, square, hexagonal, elongated, etc.All dots can have similar or different shapes. Preferably, all dots havesubstantially similar shape. More preferably, all dots have circularshapes. The outer starburst pattern has an even or slightly unevenexterior peripheral edge and an uneven, jagged interior peripheral edge.The exterior peripheral edge of the outer starburst pattern can have adiameter of from 10 mm to about 13.5 mm. The innermost diameter of theinterior jagged peripheral edge of the outermost starburst pattern (frominnermost dot on one side to innermost dot on the other side) is locatedat about 5 mm or greater from the lens' geometric center, preferablefrom 5.5 mm to 7.5 mm, or more preferable from 6.0 mm to 7.0 mm.

FIG. 5 as an example illustrates a “second print” which is a compositepattern of the “outer starburst pattern” and a “limbal ring”. The dotcoverage (print area) for the second print is from about 25 percent toabout 45 percent, preferably from about 30 percent to about 40 percent,more preferably about 35 percent of the contact lens area excluding theouter transparent peripheral area (section 22 in FIG. 1). The outertransparent peripheral area is the area outside first print area and isun-printed area. This area corresponds to the sclera of the eye.

FIG. 6 as an example schematically illustrates the overlay pattern ofthe first print pattern and the second print pattern. The dot coverage(print area) for the overlay print is from about 30 percent to about 50percent, preferably from about 35 percent to about 45 percent, morepreferably about 40 percent of the contact lens area excluding the outertransparent peripheral area (section 22 in FIG. 1). The outertransparent peripheral area is the area outside first print area and isun-printed area. This area corresponds to the sclera of the eye.

FIG. 7 as an example schematically illustrates an “inner starburstpattern”. The inner starburst pattern is a pattern comprisingpearlescently colored dots, alternatively comprising non-pearlescentpigment color dots, located generally on the inside of and surrounded bythe outer starburst pattern, wherein a jagged border separates the outerstarburst pattern and the inner starburst pattern. This border need notbe precise. Some dots of the outer starburst may be mixed in with dotsof the inner starburst, so long there is a jagged border or border zoneacross with a noticeable change of color. The dots, preferably opaquedots, can have any shape, regular or irregular, such as circular, oval,triangular, square, hexagonal, elongated, etc. All dots can have similaror different shapes. Preferably, all dots have substantially similarshape. More preferably, all dots have circular shapes. The pearlescentlycolored dots comprise at least one pearlescent pigment in an amountsufficient to provide to the inner starburst pattern of the contact lensa desirable amount of pearlescence to impart a shine appearance to awearer's eye. A preferred color for the inner starburst is hazel, butother colors to be used include yellow, yellow-green, brown,yellow-brown, gold and orange.

In accordance with the invention, the first print and the second printare superimposed to provide the desired colored design, which covers andaccentuates the wearer's natural limbal ring and eye color more than asingle print by itself. The first print is printed with a first ink andthe second print is printed with a second ink. The second ink has higherpigment content than the first ink by at least 20% to impart a higheropacity to the second print, preferably by at least 40%, more preferablyby at least 60%. The percent of higher pigment in ink is calculated asfollows:

Percent of higher pigment in second ink=[(percent pigment content in thesecond ink−percent pigment content in the first ink)/(percent pigmentcontent in the first ink)]×100

The percent of pigment and each component in ink is by weight.

On eye, the pattern in accordance with the invention provides anattractive design with perceived bigger and bolder eyes.

A colored contact lens can be made by applying an ink directly onto apreformed contact lens. A preferred method for applying an ink onto acontact lens in accordance with this invention is through printing, forexample, pad- transfer printing and/or inkjet printing using an ink,preferably a water-based ink.

An ink typically comprises at least one colorant, a binder polymer, anda solvent. An ink can optionally include a crosslinker, a humectant, asurfactant, a monomer, a polymerization initiator, an antimicrobialagent, an antioxidant agent, an anti-kogating agent, and other additivesknown in the art.

A colorant comprises at least one dye or preferably one pigment.Conventional and/or pearlescent pigments can be used in the invention.

A solvent can be water (water-based inks) or any appropriate organicsolvent (organic solvent-based inks). Any known suitable solvents can beused, so long as they can dissolve the binder in the ink of theinvention and aid in the stability of the colorant. Examples ofpreferred solvents include water, or water mixed with one or moreco-solvent. Alternately, organic solvents such as alcohols, glycols,ketones, esters, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclopentanone, and cyclohexanonecould be used.

“A binder polymer” refers to a crosslinkable polymer that comprisescrosslinkable groups and can be crosslinked by a crosslinker or uponinitiation by a chemical or physical means (e.g., moisture, heating, UVirradiation or the like) to trap or bind colorants onto or into acontact lens such as that term is known in the art.

The term crosslinkable groups is employed herein in a broad sense and isintended to encompass, for example, functional groups and photocrosslinkable or thermally crosslinkable groups, which are well-known toa person skilled in the art. It is well known in the art that a pair ofmatching crosslinkable groups can form a covalent bond or linkage underknown reaction conditions, such as, oxidation-reduction conditions,dehydration condensation conditions, addition conditions, substitution(or displacement) conditions, free radical polymerization conditions,2+2 cyclo-addition conditions, Diels-Alder reaction conditions, ROMP(Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization) conditions, vulcanizationconditions, cationic crosslinking conditions, and epoxy hardeningconditions. For example, an amino group is covalently bondable withaldehyde (Schiff base which is formed from aldehyde group and aminogroup may further be reduced); an hydroxyl group and an amino group arecovalently bondable with carboxyl group; carboxyl group and a sulfogroup are covalently bondable with hydroxyl group; a mercapto group iscovalently bondable with amino group; or a carbon-carbon double bond iscovalently bondable with another carbon-carbon double bond.

Exemplary covalent bonds or linkage, which are formed between pairs ofcrosslinkable groups, include without limitation, alkane (carbon-carbonsingle bond), alkene (carbon-carbon double bond), ester, ether, acetal,ketal, vinyl ether, carbamate, urea, amine, amide, enamine, imine,oxime, amidine, iminoester, carbonate, orthoester, phosphonate,phosphinate, sulfonate, sulfinate, sulfide, sulfate, disulfide,sulfinamide, sulfonamide, thioester, aryl, silane, siloxane,heterocycles, thiocarbonate, thiocarbamate, and phosphonamide.

Exemplary crosslinkable groups include, without limitation, hydroxylgroup, amine group, amide group, sulfhydryl group, —COOR (R and R′ arehydrogen or C₁ to C₈ alkyl groups), halide (chloride, bromide, iodide),acyl chloride, isothiocyanate, isocyanate, monochlorotriazine,dichlorotriazine, mono- or di-halogen substituted pyridine, mono- ordi-halogen substituted diazine, phosphoramidite, maleimide, aziridine,sulfonyl halide, hydroxysuccinimide ester, hydroxysulfosuccinimideester, imido ester, hydrazine, axidonitrophenyl group, azide,3-(2-pyridyl dithio)proprionamide, glyoxal, aldehyde, epoxy,olefinically unsaturated radicals.

A binder polymer in the ink can be any polymer which is compatible withlens material. A binder polymer can be prepared by polymerization ofmonomers containing vinyl alcohol, vinyl butyral, vinyl acetate, acrylicacid, methacrylic acid, hydroxy C₁ to C₆ alkyl ester of acrylic acid andmethacrylic acid, amino C₁ to C₈ alkyl ester of acrylic and methacrylicacid, glycerol esters of acrylic and methacrylic acid, vinylpyrrolidone,vinylchloride, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, dimethylacrylamide, and thelike. Mixtures of these different monomers could be made to form variouscopolymers. Other polymers could include various cellulosic resins,polyesters, polyurethanes, polyureas, or polyamides that have at leastone crosslinkable group. Preferably, monomers used in preparing abinding polymer is the same as that for monomers used in making a lens.

An ink for printing a colored lens of the invention can be preparedaccording any known suitable methods. For example, first a solution ofbinding polymer and solvent is prepared and this solution is mixed withpaste containing the colorant to form an ink.

Pad transfer printing is well known in the art (see. For example, U.S.Pat. No. 3,536,386 to Spivack; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,582,402 and 4,704,017 toKnapp; U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,166 to Rawlings et al., herein incorporatedby reference in their entireties). A typical example of this printingfollows. An image is etched into metal to form a cliché. The cliché isplaced in a printer. Once in the printer, the cliché is inked by eitheran open inkwell doctoring system or by a closed ink cup sliding acrossthe image. Then, a silicone pad picks up the inked image from the clichéand transfers the image to the contact lens. The silicone pads are madeof a material comprising silicone that can vary in elasticity. Theproperties of the silicone material permit the inks to stick to the padtemporarily and fully release from the pad when it contacts a contactlens or a mold. Appropriate pad-transfer printing structures include,but are not limited to, Tampo-type printing structures (Tampo vario90/130), rubber stamps, thimbles, doctor's blade, direct printing, ortransfer printing as they are known in the art.

Any known suitable silicone pad can be used in the present invention.Silicone pads are commercially available. However, different pads couldgive different print qualities. A person skilled in the art will knowhow to select a pad for a given ink.

Clichés can be made of ceramics or metals (e.g., steel). Where a clichéis made of a steel, it would be desirable to neutralize the pH of awater-based ink (e.g., adjusted pH to 6.8˜7.8) by adding a buffer (suchas, for example, phosphate salts). Images can be etched into a clichéaccording to any methods known to a person skilled in the art, forexample, by chemical etching or laser ablation or the like. It is alsodesirable to clean clichés after use using standard cleaning techniquesknown to a person skilled in the art, such as, for example, immersion ina solvent, sonication, or mechanical abrasion.

It is understood that either the anterior (convex) or posterior(concave) surfaces of the lens may be printed, but printing the anteriorsurface is presently preferred.

Printing the lens using an inkjet printing process is described inpublished US Patent Application Nos. 2001/0050753, 2001/0085934,2003/0119943, and 2003/0184710, herein incorporated by references intheir entireties.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a colored contact lens mayfurther comprise a clear coating covering at least the colored area of alens. A clear coating can be formed on the colored area by applying alayer of a clear polymerizable solution free of any colorant onto thelens surface with color prints and then polymerizing the layer of clearpolymerizable solution. A clear coat may minimize leaching of a colorantand may enhance wearer's comfort.

Alternatively, a colored contact lens of the invention can be madeaccording to a print-on-mold process similar to those described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,034,166 to Rawlings et al. (herein incorporated byreference). An ink can be applied first on the molding surface of one orboth mold portions by using pad transfer printing (or pad printing) orinkjet printing to form a colored coat (with a color image). A coloredcoat can be applied on the molding surface defining the posterior(concave) surface of a contact lens or on the molding surface definingthe anterior surface of a contact lens or on both mold portions.Preferably, a colored coat (with a color image) is applied on themolding surface defining the anterior surface of a contact lens.

Optionally, a transferable coating can be applied to a molding surfaceof a mold before applying the ink by pad transfer printing. A transfercoating is intended to describe a coating which can be detached from amolding surface of a mold and become integral with the body of a contactlens molded in the mold. A transferable coating can be applied to amolding surface of mold by any suitable techniques, such as, forexample, spraying, printing, swabbing, or dipping. A transferablecoating can be prepared from a solution comprising polymerizablecomponents and free of any colorants. For example, a transferablecoating with substantially uniform thickness (less than 200 microns) canbe prepared by spraying a molding surface with a solution having thecomposition (without colorant) of an ink to be used or a solution ofprepolymer or a lens-forming material to be used. This transferablecoating can optionally be dried or cured to form a transferable clearfilm (without any pigment but optionally with dyes including reactivedyes). One or more colored patterns can then be printed on thistransferable coating or film. By applying a transferable coating beforeprinting, one can make a colored lens in which printed colored patternsare embedded just below a film derived from the transferable coating.Such a lens may be more comfortable for wearing and have much lesssusceptibility to colorant leaching out of the colored lens.

After printing an ink of the invention on a molding surface of a mold,the printed ink can be cured by UV or other actinic radiation to form acolored film in accordance with the invention. It is desirable that theprinted ink is cured actinically to an extent to minimize loss ofpattern definition of the colored coat resulted from subsequent fillingof a lens-forming material.

Lens molds for making contact lenses are well known to a person skilledin the art and, for example, are employed in cast molding or spincasting. For example, a mold (for cast molding) generally comprises atleast two mold sections (or portions) or mold halves, i.e. first andsecond mold halves. The first mold half defines a first molding (oroptical) surface and the second mold half defines a second molding (oroptical) surface. The first and second mold halves are configured toreceive each other such that a lens forming cavity is formed between thefirst molding surface and the second molding surface. The moldingsurface of a mold half is the cavity-forming surface of the mold and indirect contact with lens-forming material.

Methods of manufacturing mold sections for cast-molding a contact lensare generally well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Theprocess of the present invention is not limited to any particular methodof forming a mold. In fact, any method of forming a mold can be used inthe present invention. The first and second mold halves can be formedthrough various techniques, such as injection molding or lathing.Examples of suitable processes for forming the mold halves are disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 4,444,711 to Schad; U.S. Pat. No. 4,460,534 to Boehm etal.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,843,346 to Morrill; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,002 toBoneberger et al., which are also incorporated herein by reference.

Virtually all materials known in the art for making molds can be used tomake molds for making contact lenses. For example, polymeric materials,such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, PMMA, Topas® COC grade8007-S10 (clear amorphous copolymer of ethylene and norbornene, fromTicona GmbH of Frankfurt, Germany and Summit, N.J.), or the like can beused. Other materials that allow UV light transmission could be used,such as quartz glass and sapphire.

Any lens-forming materials can be used in the invention and is notpresently considered a critical part of this aspect of the invention.Lens forming materials that are suitable in the fabrication of contactlenses are illustrated by numerous issued US patents and familiar tothose skilled in the art. Preferred lens-forming materials are capableof forming hydrogels. A lens-forming material can comprise one or moreprepolymers, optionally one or more vinylic monomers and/or macromersand optionally further include various components, such asphotoinitiator, visibility tinting agent, fillers, and the like. Itshould be understood that any silicone-containing prepolymers or anysilicone-free prepolymers can be used in the present invention.

A preferred group of lens-forming materials are prepolymers which arewater-soluble and/or meltable as described above. It would beadvantageous that a lens-forming material comprises primarily one ormore prepolymers which are preferably in a substantially pure form(e.g., purified by ultrafiltration). Therefore, aftercrosslinking/polymerizing by actinic radiation, a contact lens mayrequire practically no more subsequent purification, such as complicatedextraction of unpolymerized constituents. Furthermore,crosslinking/polymerizing may take place solvent-free or in aqueoussolution, so that a subsequent solvent exchange or the hydration step isnot necessary.

A person skilled in the art will know well how to actinically orthermally cure the lens-forming material within the lens-forming cavityto form the contact lens.

In a preferred embodiment, where a lens-forming material is a solution,solvent-free liquid, or melt of one or more prepolymers optionally inpresence of other components, reusable molds are used and thelens-forming material is cured actinically under a spatial limitation ofactinic radiation to form a colored contact lens. Examples of preferredreusable molds are those disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/274,942 filed Jul. 14, 1994, Ser. No. 10/732,566 filed Dec. 10, 2003,Ser. No. 10/721,913 filed Nov. 25, 2003, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,627,124,which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

In this case, the lens-forming material is put into a mold consisting oftwo mold halves, the two mold halves not touching each other but havinga thin gap of annular design arranged between them. The gap is connectedto the mold cavity, so that excess lens material can flow away into thegap. Instead of polypropylene molds that can be used only once, it ispossible for reusable quartz, glass, or sapphire molds to be used,since, following the production of a lens, these molds can be cleanedand dried rapidly to effectively remove the uncrosslinked prepolymer andother residues, using water or a suitable solvent. Reusable molds canalso be made of Topas® COC grade 8007-S10 (clear amorphous copolymer ofethylene and norbornene) from Ticona GmbH of Frankfurt, Germany andSummit, N.J. Since the mold halves do not touch each other in the regionof the lens to be produced, i.e. the cavity or actual mold faces, damageas a result of contact is ruled out. This ensures a high service life ofthe molds, which, in particular, also ensures high reproducibility ofthe contact lenses to be produced.

The two opposite surfaces (anterior surface and posterior surface) of acontact lens are defined by the two molding surfaces while the edge isdefined by the spatial limitation of actinic irradiation rather than bymeans of mold walls. Typically, only the lens-forming material within aregion bound by the two molding surfaces and the projection of the welldefined peripheral boundary of the spatial limitation is crosslinkedwhereas any lens-forming material outside of and immediately around theperipheral boundary of the spatial limitation is not crosslinked, andthereby the edge of the contact lens should be smooth and preciseduplication of the dimension and geometry of the spatial limitation ofactinic radiation. Such method of making contact lenses are described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/274,942 filed Jul. 14, 1994, Ser.No. 10/732,566 filed Dec. 10, 2003, Ser. No. 10/721,913 filed Nov. 25,2003, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,627,124, which are incorporated by referencein their entireties.

A spatial limitation of actinic radiation (or the spatial restriction ofenergy impingement) can be effected by masking for a mold that is atleast partially impermeable to the particular form of energy used, asillustrated in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/274,942 filed Jul.14, 1994 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,627,124 (herein incorporated by referencein their entireties) or by a mold that is highly permeable, at least atone side, to the energy form causing the crosslinking and that has moldparts being impermeable or of poor permeability to the energy, asillustrated in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/732,566 filed Dec.10, 2003, Ser. No. 10/721,913 filed Nov. 25, 2003 and U.S. Pat. No.6,627,124 (herein incorporated by reference in their entireties). Theenergy used for the crosslinking is radiation energy, especially UVradiation, gamma radiation, electron radiation or thermal radiation, theradiation energy preferably being in the form of a substantiallyparallel beam in order on the one hand to achieve good restriction andon the other hand efficient use of the energy.

It should be understood that an ink of the invention should have a goodtransferability of the colored coat from a mold to a contact lens and agood adhesion to the molded lens. The resultant colored contact lens isessentially smooth and continuous on the surface containing the colorfilm.

The good transferability and adhesion may be resulted largely frominterpenetrating network formation during curing of the lens-formingmaterial in the mold. Without limiting this invention to any particularmechanism or theory, it is believed that the ink binders of theinvention can form interpenatrating networks (IPN's) with the lensmaterial of a hydrogel lens. Adhesion of an ink of the invention to thelens by IPN formation does not require the presence of reactivefunctional groups in the lens polymer. The lens-forming material iscrosslinked in the presence of crosslinked binder polymer in the coloredfilm to form IPNs. It is understood that some (residual) ethylenicallyunsaturated groups in the binder polymer may not be consumed duringcuring of the colored coat to form the colored film. These residualethylenically unsaturated groups may undergo crosslinking reaction tobind the binder polymer to the lens material during the curing of thelens-forming material in the mold.

It is also understood that adhesion between lenses and ink could beenhanced by direct linkage (bond formation) between binder polymer andlens polymer. For example, a binder polymer containing nucleophilicgroups could undergo reactions with lens polymer that containselectrophilic groups such as epoxy, anhydride, alkyl halide andisocyanate. Alternatively one could bind ink to lenses by havingelectrophilic groups in the ink binder polymer and nucleophic groups inthe lens polymer. Curable inks could also be made be incorporating bothnucleophilic and electrophilic functionality into to binder polymer.

In another aspect, the invention encompasses a method for making acolored contact lens, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a preformed contact lens; and

(b) applying a first print pattern of opaque colored dots of a firstcolor onto a surface of at least one of the anterior and posteriorsurfaces of the contact lens,

wherein the first print is an annular ring of gradient dot matrix,

(c) applying a second print pattern of opaque colored dot of a secondcolor onto the surface of the contact lens,

wherein the second print comprises an outer starburst pattern and alimbal ring surrounding the outer starburst pattern, wherein the annularring and the limbal ring have a substantially identical outer diameterand the annular ring has a larger inner diameter than that of the limbalring, wherein the first color and the second color are different or thesame, wherein the first print and the second print are concentric withthe center of contact lens.

In a further aspect, the invention encompasses a method for making acolored contact lens, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a mold including a first mold half having a first moldingsurface defining the anterior surface of a contact lens and a secondmold half having a second molding surface defining the posterior surfaceof the contact lens, wherein the first and second mold halves areconfigured to receive each other such that a contact lens forming cavityis formed between the first and second molding surfaces;

(b) applying, by using pad-transfer or inkjet printing technique, asecond print pattern of opaque colored dot of a second color to onto atleast one of molding surfaces of a lens mold,

wherein the second print comprises an outer starburst pattern and alimbal ring surrounding the outer starburst pattern, wherein the annularring and the limbal ring have a substantially identical outer diameterand the annular ring has a larger inner diameter than that of the limbalring,

(c) applying, by using pad-transfer or inkjet printing technique, afirst print pattern of opaque colored dots of a first color onto thesurface of the mold,

wherein the first print is an annular ring of gradient dot matrix,

wherein the first color and the second color are different or the same,wherein the first print and the second print are concentric with thecenter of contact lens.

Any known suitable lenses made of any lens-forming material can be usedto practice this invention. Preferably, hydrogel lenses orsilicone-containing hydrogel lenses are used to practice this invention.Examples of preferred lenses include: without limitation, lensesdescribed in Loshaek's U.S. Pat. No. 4,668,240 (incorporated herein byreference in its entirety); lenses prepared from a water-solublecrosslinkable poly(vinyl alcohol) prepolymer as described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,583,163 and 6,303,687 (incorporated by reference in theirentireties); lenses made from a water-soluble crosslinkable polyureaprepolymer as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,479,587 (herein incorporatedby reference in its entirety) and a co-pending U.S. patent applicationNo. 60/525,100 filed Nov. 25, 2003 entitled “Crosslinkable polyureaprepolymers” (herein incorporated by reference in its entirety); and thelike. It is understood that any commercial available lenses, such as,for example, FOCUS DAILIES®, ACUVUE®, etc., can be used to practice thisinvention.

The previous disclosure will enable one having ordinary skill in the artto practice the invention. In order to better enable the reader tounderstand specific embodiments and the advantages thereof, reference tothe following examples is suggested. The percentages in the formulationsare based on weight percentages unless otherwise specified.

EXAMPLES

Different colors of black, dark violet are prepared as shown in Table 1.The percentage of each component is by weight.

TABLE 1 Black Composition (% by weight) iron Carbazole PCN PCNIrgacure ® Ink Nelfilcon¹ oxide violet Blue green Surfactant² Na₂PO₄2959 BK-1 84.3 14.0 0.1 0.2 1.4 BK-2 89.8 7.0 1.5 0.1 0.2 1.4 BK-3 89.87.0 1.5 0.1 0.2 1.4 BK-4 90.7 6.5 1.5 0.1 1.2 BK-5 83.2 15.5 0.1 1.2 ¹Anaqueous solution of nelfilcon (30% by weight of nelfilcon and 70% byweight of water) ²Surfynol ® 420 surfactant

These inks are used to print on the glass female mold halves of reusablemolds shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 according to pad transfer printingtechnique. The male mold halves are made of quartz. The inks are curedunder a Hamamatsu lamp with a fiber optic probe and a 297 nm cut-offfilter. The light is passed through a condenser (f=22.5 mm), with adistance 40 mm from the condenser to the mold. UVB light greater than 5mW/cm² is used for 2 seconds, as measured by a Groebel detector. Theintensity is monitored by measuring the aperture of the Hamamatsu lamp.

After curing the printed ink on female mold halves, a nelfilcon solutioncontaining about 30% nelfilcon and 0.1% Irgacure 2959 is dispensed ontothe printed female mold halves by using an EFD automatic dispenser (4bar, 1.2 sec). The female mold halves then mate with corresponding malemold halves and are closed. The nelfilcon is UV cured with a Dr. Groebellamp, with a 303 nm (50% transmission) cut-off filter installed in thecondenser. The molds are opened and resultant colored contact lenses arestored in DI water until use.

Colored contact lenses are examined by imaging under back-lightingconditions to emphasize contrast. Imaging is performed using a parafocalzoom lens (0.7×-4.5×, VZM-450, Edmund Scientific) with a 0.5×supplemental lens. A Sony XC-999 camera connected to a Matrox Meteor 2frame grabber allowed images to be taken with Archive4Images (A4I)software (Aquinto) or other image softwares. The A4A softwareautomatically exports the images to Microsoft Word, which can beexamined for print quality and resolution.

Although various embodiments of the invention have been described usingspecific terms, devices, and methods, such description is forillustrative purposes only. The words used are words of descriptionrather than of limitation. It is to be understood that changes andvariations may be made by those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the present invention, which is set forth inthe following claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspectsof the various embodiments may be interchanged either in whole or inpart. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should notbe limited to the description of the preferred versions containedtherein.

1. A colored contact lens, comprising a first print of a first color anda second print of a second color, wherein the first print is an annularring of gradient dot matrix, wherein the second print comprises an outerstarburst pattern and a limbal ring surrounding the outer starburstpattern, wherein the annular ring and the limbal ring have asubstantially identical outer diameter and the annular ring has a largerinner diameter than that of the limbal ring, wherein the first color andthe second color are different or the same, wherein the first print andthe second print are concentric with the center of contact lens.
 2. Thecolored contact lens of claim 1, wherein the interior peripheral edge ofthe limbal ring is at a diameter of about 8 mm to about 12 mm from thelens' geometric center.
 3. The colored contact lens of claim 1, whereinthe annular ring has a width of from about 0.8 to about 3.0 mm.
 4. Thecolored contact lens of claim 2, wherein the annular ring has a width offrom about 1.2 mm to about 1.8 mm.
 5. The colored contact lens of claim1, wherein the width of the annular ring is larger than that of thelimbal ring by from 0.1 mm to 0.7 mm.
 6. The colored contact lens ofclaim 5, wherein the width of the annular ring is larger than that ofthe limbal ring by from 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm.
 7. The colored contact lens ofclaim 1, wherein the first print is printed with a first ink and thesecond print is printed with a second ink, wherein the second ink hashigher pigment content than the first ink by at least 20%.
 8. Thecolored contact lens of claim 7, wherein the ink for printing the firstprint has a lower pigment content than the ink for printing the secondprint by at least 20 percent by weight per weight of ink.
 9. The coloredcontact lens of claim 1, wherein the first print has a color selectedfrom a group consisting of blue, gray, brown, light blue, turquoise,violet, blue-violet, aqua, yellow or green and the second print has acolor selected from a group consisting of black, dark-gray, dark-brownand dark-blue.
 10. The colored contact lens of claim 9, wherein preprinthas a dark violet color and the main print has a black color.
 11. Thecolored contact lens of claim 9, wherein preprint has a light blue colorand the main print has a dark blue color.
 12. The colored contact lensof claim 1, wherein the innermost diameter of the interior jaggedperipheral edge of the outer starburst pattern is located at about 5 mmor greater from the lens' geometric center.
 13. The colored contact lensof claim 12, wherein the innermost diameter of the interior jaggedperipheral edge of the outer starburst pattern is located at about from5.5 mm to 7.0 mm from the lens' geometric center.
 14. The coloredcontact lens of claim 13, wherein the innermost diameter of the interiorjagged peripheral edge of the outer starburst pattern is located at from6.2 mm to 6.7 mm from the lens' geometric center.
 15. The coloredcontact lens of claim 1, further comprising a third print of a thirdcolor, wherein the third print is an inner starburst pattern comprisingpearlescently colored elements, wherein the inner starburst pattern islocated generally on the inside of and surrounded by the outer starburstpattern, wherein a jagged border separates the outer starburst patternand the inner starburst pattern, wherein the pearlescently coloredelement comprises at least one pearlescent pigment in an amountsufficient to provide to the inner starburst pattern of the contact lensa desirable amount of pearlescent to impart a shine appearance to awearer's eye.
 16. A method for making a colored contact lens, comprisingthe steps of: (a) providing a preformed contact lens; and (b) applying afirst print pattern of opaque colored dots of a first color onto asurface of at least one of the anterior and posterior surfaces of thecontact lens, wherein the first print is an annular ring of gradient dotmatrix, (c) applying a second print pattern of opaque colored dot of asecond color onto the surface of the contact lens, wherein the secondprint comprises an outer starburst pattern and a limbal ring surroundingthe outer starburst pattern, wherein the annular ring and the limbalring have a substantially identical outer diameter and the annular ringhas a larger inner diameter than that of the limbal ring, wherein thefirst color and the second color are different or the same, wherein thefirst print and the second print are concentric with the center ofcontact lens.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the steps (b) and (c)of applying are carried out according to a pad-transfer or inkjetprinting process.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the method furthercomprises forming a clear coat covering at least part of the surface ofthe contact lens.
 19. A method for making a colored contact lens,comprising the steps of: (a) providing a mold including a first moldhalf having a first molding surface defining the anterior surface of acontact lens and a second mold half having a second molding surfacedefining the posterior surface of the contact lens, wherein the firstand second mold halves are configured to receive each other such that acontact lens forming cavity is formed between the first and secondmolding surfaces; (b) applying, by using pad-transfer or inkjet printingtechnique, a second print pattern of opaque colored dot of a secondcolor to onto at least one of molding surfaces of a lens mold, whereinthe second print comprises an outer starburst pattern and a limbal ringsurrounding the outer starburst pattern, wherein the annular ring andthe limbal ring have a substantially identical outer diameter and theannular ring has a larger inner diameter than that of the limbal ring,(c) applying, by using pad-transfer or inkjet printing technique, afirst print pattern of opaque colored dots of a first color onto thesurface of the mold, wherein the first print is an annular ring ofgradient dot matrix, wherein the first color and the second color aredifferent or the same, wherein the first print and the second print areconcentric with the center of contact lens.
 20. The method of claim 15,wherein a transferable clear coating is applied onto the molding surfaceof the mold before the step (b).